❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Chapter 9 : Shattered Emotions

Yeonjun stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the parking area below, where Soobin's truck was noticeably absent. It was already past 11 pm, and he found himself inexplicably waiting for his neighbor, Soobin, to return home. He couldn't explain why he was so invested in Soobin's schedule, or why the empty parking space seemed to hold his attention. His eyes drifted to Soobin's front door, his mind wandering to the person behind it. Why did he care so much about Soobin's whereabouts?

After their earlier conversation at the hospital entrance, Yeonjun expected Soobin to tease him mercilessly about the cuddling incident. But to his surprise, Soobin completely ignored him during his volunteering shift beside Halmeoni. Instead, Soobin focused on caring for his grandmother, taking her for a stroll in a nearby park accompanied by two nurses. With a warm smile, he gently tried to refresh her memory, sharing small, fond recollections from their past. He did this with sensitivity, careful not to overwhelm her, as he knew that too much pressure could trigger her dementia. Soobin's thoughtful approach put Halmeoni at ease, and Yeonjun couldn't help but notice the tender way Soobin interacted with his grandmother.

At precisely 11:35, Yeonjun's ears perked up as he heard the unmistakable rumble of Soobin's truck pulling into the parking area. His heart skipped a beat as he hastily retreated behind the curtains, concealing himself from view. With bated breath, he peeked through the narrow gap between the curtains, his eyes fixed intently on Soobin's house. As the truck's engine died down, Yeonjun watched with rapt attention as Soobin climbed out of the driver's seat, his movements fluid and relaxed. With a quiet calm, Soobin entered his house, the soft creak of the front door a subtle signal that he was home.

Yeonjun's curiosity got the better of him as he made his way to the room in grandma's house that offered a direct view into Soobin's bedroom. He positioned himself behind the wall, peeking around the edge to observe Soobin's activities. As he gazed across the way, he saw Soobin lying on his bed, scrolling through his phone with a relaxed expression. The scene before him appeared utterly ordinary - Soobin seemed engrossed in his screen, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the device. Yet, Yeonjun's mind raced with confusion. Everything about this moment seemed normal, except for one glaring fact: Soobin was completely ignoring him. No teasing, no joking, no acknowledgement whatsoever. The silence between them was deafening, and Yeonjun couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.

The following day, Yeonjun found himself intentionally opening the window, as if inviting Soobin's gaze. He began to do some mild exercises in his room, stretching his arms and arching his back, all while keeping a subtle eye on Soobin's room across the way. As he moved, he caught sight of Soobin, who was sitting on his bed, engrossed in a book. Yeonjun's eyes lingered, expecting Soobin to look up, to notice him, to acknowledge his presence in some way. But Soobin remained oblivious, lost in his reading. Yeonjun's thoughts swirled with confusion - why was he being so desperate for Soobin's attention? He couldn't explain the ache within him, the desire to be seen, to be noticed by Soobin. It was as if he was craving a connection, a spark, something to break the silence between them.

Gritting his teeth, Yeonjun's frustration finally boiled over, and with a swift motion, he hurled a nearby vase to the floor, the shattering sound echoing through the air. Soobin's gaze instinctively shifted towards the commotion, his eyes locking onto Yeonjun's as he stood frozen, his chest heaving with pent-up emotion. For a brief, charged moment, their eyes clashed, Yeonjun's glare burning with intensity before he abruptly turned away, slamming the window shut with a resounding bang, severing the visual connection between them.

An hour later, Yeonjun found himself standing at Soobin's door, his heart racing with anticipation. He had deliberately chosen the most revealing outfit he could find in his luggage, wanting to make a statement. He wore a sleek, black Gucci crop top, its fabric clinging to his torso, with a bold, heart-shaped cutout at the back that exposed his smooth skin. His white, distressed Diesel pants had strategically placed holes, giving glimpses of his toned legs. The overall effect was daring, provocative, and utterly deliberate. Yeonjun took a deep breath, his hand reaching out to knock on the door, his mind wondering how Soobin would react to this unexpected visit.